Economic Development Committee

Meeting No.:
20
Contact:
Dela Ting, Committee Administrator
Meeting Date:
Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Phone:
416-397-7769
Start Time:
9:30 AM
E-mail:
edc@toronto.ca
Location:
Committee Room 1, City Hall
Chair:
Councillor Michael Thompson

 

Economic Development Committee

Councillor Michael Thompson, Chair

Councillor David Shiner  (Vice Chair)

Councillor Shelley Carroll

Councillor Raymond Cho

Councillor Gary Crawford

Councillor Chin Lee

 

Members of Council and Staff:  Please keep this agenda and the accompanying material until the City Council meeting dealing with these matters has ended.

 

Special Assistance for Members of the Public:  City staff can arrange for special assistance with some advance notice. If you need special assistance, please call 416-392-8485 or TTY 416-338-0889 or e-mail (edc@toronto.ca).

 

Closed Meeting Requirements:  If the Economic Development Committee wants to meet in closed session (privately), a member of the Committee must make a motion to do so and give the reason why the Committee has to meet privately. (City of Toronto Act, 2006)

 

Notice to people writing or making presentations to the Economic Development Committee:  The City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the City of Toronto Municipal Code authorize the City of Toronto to collect any personal information in your communication or presentation to City Council or its committees. The City collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issue(s). If you are submitting letters, faxes, e-mails, presentations or other communications to the City, you should be aware that your name and the fact that you communicated with the City will become part of the public record and will appear on the City’s website. The City will also make your communication and any personal information in it - such as your postal address, telephone number or e-mail address - available to the public, unless you expressly request the City to remove it.

 

The City makes a video record of committee and community council meetings. If you make a presentation to a committee or community council, the City will be video-recording you and City staff may make the video record available to the public.

 

If you want to learn more about why and how the City collects your information, write to the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto ON M5H 2N2 or by calling 416-392-8485 or 416-397-7769.


toronto.ca/council

This agenda and any supplementary materials submitted to the City Clerk can be found online at www.toronto.ca/council. Visit the website for access to all agendas, reports, decisions and minutes of City Council and its committees.

 

 

 

 

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

 

Confirmation of Minutes – January 30, 2013

 

Speakers/Presentations - A complete list will be distributed at the meeting

 

Communications/Reports

 

ED20.1 - Bicentennial Commemoration of the Battle of York

Consideration Type:
Presentation
Time:
9:45 AM

Summary

Members of the City of Toronto Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 will give a presentation to the Economic Development Committee.

Background Information

(February 26, 2013) Battle of York Presentation - Part 1
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56406.pdf
(February 26, 2013) City of Toronto War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration - Part 2
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56407.pdf

ED20.2 - Implementing Toronto's Workforce Development Strategy: Progress to Date and Necessary Next Steps

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(February 18, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Service Integration and Business Transformation and the Acting General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services

Recommendations

The General Manager, Service Integration and Business Transformation and the Acting General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services recommend that:

 

1.         Given the potential implications for the City of Toronto of the recommendations made by the provincially appointed Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario and the Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services (Drummond Report), City Council authorize the City Manager to collaborate with the Province with respect to the potential implementation of these reports, in accordance with the following positions:

 

-           Informed by the principles established through the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Service Delivery Review and the Toronto-Ontario Cooperation and Consultation Agreement, the City and Province need to establish and agree on an implementation framework, structure and process that recognizes the need for full partnership between the City and the Province;

 

-           Implementation of key recommendations build on the work undertaken through the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Service Delivery Review and by the City with respect to simplifying and modernizing the delivery of income assistance and employment related supports, and better integrating social assistance and Employment Ontario services; and

 

-           Any changes resulting from the transfer of responsibility, service integration or service transformation of social assistance and employment services shall not result in new or additional short and long-term net costs to the City.

 

2.         Within the framework established to implement the Social Assistance Review Commission's recommendations and relevant Drummond Report recommendations, as per Recommendation 1, City Council direct the General Manager of  Employment and Social Services, on behalf of the City of Toronto, to advance City Workforce Development priorities and the integration of the employment services system in Toronto, by:

 

-           Establishing, in conjunction with the Province, a City of Toronto table comprised of provincial and municipal officials to pursue the transfer of full responsibility from the Provincial government to the City of Toronto for the planning, management and delivery of employment services in Toronto, subject to the transfer not resulting in new or additional short and long-term net costs to the City.

 

3.         City Council approve the City of Toronto Employment Service System Outcomes presented in this report and direct the General Manager of Employment and Social Services to consult with appropriate stakeholders to create a common reporting framework for employment services system level outcomes.

Summary

In March 2012, City Council unanimously endorsed Toronto's first workforce development strategy, Working as One: A Workforce Development Strategy for Toronto. The strategy provides a blueprint, in terms of both its vision and approach, for an integrated employment services system in Toronto, as part of an integrated workforce development strategy. Along with Collaborating for Competiveness: A Strategic Plan to Accelerate Economic Growth and Job Creation in Toronto and the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020, it is a key component of the City's strategic framework to sustain and advance economic growth, ensure all communities share in the opportunities that are created, and better connect jobseekers and employers.

 

This report begins with an overview of City work in 2012 to further advance its workforce development strategy by improving services to and outcomes for employers and jobseekers. Next, it provides an update on the implementation of key recommendations contained in Working as One, focusing in particular on a recently completed review of employment services in Toronto and the progress towards a workforce development dashboard.

 

Finally, with reference to key reports released by the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario and the Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services, it highlights the opportunity that now exists to accelerate this progress and build a 'made in Toronto' system that better aligns resources, works towards shared outcomes while better serving local employers and jobseekers and strengthening Toronto's economy. To achieve this, it suggests a new alignment of roles and responsibilities within Toronto's employment services system and proposes a framework to make that happen.

Financial Impact

There are no financial implications arising from this report.

Background Information

(February 18, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Service Integration and Business Transformation and the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services on Implementing Toronto's Workforce Development Strategy: Progress to Date and Necessary Next Steps
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56307.pdf
(February 18, 2013) Attachment 1 - Inventory of Employment Planning Initiatives
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56347.pdf
(February 18, 2013) Attachment 2 - Workforce Development Week Summary Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56348.pdf
(February 18, 2013) Attachment 3: Employment Services Review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56349.pdf
(February 18, 2013) Attachment 4: Distance from the Labour Market Approach
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56350.pdf
(February 18, 2013) Attachment 5: Employment Services Outcomes Model
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56351.pdf
(March 5, 2013) Presentation on Implementing Toronto's Workforce Development Strategy: Progress to Date and Necessary Next Steps
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56554.pdf

2a - Number of Child Care Subsidies and Costs Required to Reduce Toronto's Unemployment Rate by 1%

Origin
(March 4, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Toronto Children's Services and the Acting General Manager, Employment and Social Services
Recommendations

The General Manager, Children's Services, and the Acting General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, recommend that:

 

1.         The Committee receive this report for information.

Summary

This report responds to City Council's request for information on the number and cost of child care subsidies required to reduce the unemployment rate in Toronto by one (1) percent.

Financial Impact

There are no financial implications arising from this report.

Background Information
(March 4, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Toronto Children's Services, and the Acting General Manager, Employment and Social Services
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56531.pdf

ED20.3 - Design Exchange (DX) 2013 Report

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(February 12, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture

Recommendations

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends:

 

1.         City Council approve the Design Exchange flow through grant of $500,000 plus accrued interest as per the terms of the City’s grant agreement with the Design Exchange.

 

2.         City Council request that the Design Exchange report back to the Economic Development Committee in six months on its progress in implementing the new strategic plan and toward achieving self-sufficiency by 2014.

Summary

A development agreement with the TD Centre requires the developer to pay $500,000 per year to the City until September 2013 for the purpose of running a design showcase/centre on the site of the former Toronto stock exchange.  These funds are placed in a reserve fund to pay the DX grant, which is revenue neutral to the City.  This report recommends that Council approve the Design Exchange 2013 flow through grant, and request that the DX report back to the Economic Development Committee in six months on its progress in implementing the new DX Strategic Plan and toward achieving self-sufficiency by the end of 2014.

 

The DX budgeted for a surplus before amortization of $118,386 in 2012, as compared to a surplus of $64,756 in 2011.  But 2012 was a year of transition for the Design Exchange.  With the adoption of a new strategic direction as a design museum and associated expenses, a deficit of $246,647 is projected.  The DX is working to increase revenues, expenses are being controlled and for 2013 the DX is projecting a surplus of $31,602.

 

With assistance from the City, in 2011 the DX hired Lord Cultural Resources to set a new strategic direction and develop a more sustainable financial and organizational model to assure growth into the future.  A new President was hired as of March 2012.  The new strategic plan is being implemented targeting additional sources of funds, including increased program revenues, and investments from the public and private sectors to offset the expiry of the grant and ensure long-term sustainability of Design Exchange operations.  The City will receive the final payment from the developer in September 2013, for a grant to the DX in 2014.

Financial Impact

There are no financial impacts to the City as a result of the approval of this report.  As a result of the redevelopment on the DX site, the City receives $500,000 per year from the property owner/developer for the use and benefit of the occupant of the premises.  These funds are placed in reserve fund XR3012 until transferred to the occupant (DX), making the payment revenue neutral to the City.  At the present time the reserve fund has sufficient funds to pay the DX grant, which is included in the EDC 2013 Operating Budget approved by Council as both a revenue (transfer of funds from the developer) and an expense (transfer of funds to the DX).

 

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

Background Information

(February 12, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development Committee on Design Exchange (DX) 2013 Report and Attachment 1 - DX Capital and Maintenance Plan 2010-2013
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56286.pdf
(March 5, 2013) Presentation on Design Exchange (DX) 2013 Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56540.pdf

ED20.4 - Collaborating For Competitiveness: Building Toronto's Incubation Network (Implementation Action 1)

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(February 22, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture

Recommendations

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

 

1.         City Council authorize the General Manager Economic Development and Culture to develop terms and conditions for the Business Incubation and Commercialization program substantially based on the framework presented in this report, with such terms and conditions, and revisions thereto, in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

 

2.         City Council request the General Manager Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to bring forward a recommended funding approach for the Business Incubation and Commercialization program for consideration in the 2014 budget cycle.

 

3.         City Council support the growth and expansion of the Toronto Food Business Incubator and direct the General Manager Economic Development and Culture to consult with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer on possible financial approaches to support the development of the Toronto Food Business Incubator and report to Executive Committee.

 

4.         The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture or his/her designate consult with provincial and regional agri-food stakeholders on a potential network of provincial commercialization centres and the role the Toronto Food Business Incubator and its proposed new facility could play in the Toronto region and Golden Horseshoe area.

 

5.         The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture provide an annual report to the City's Economic Development Committee on the status of the Business Incubation and Commercialization program.

Summary

The recently adopted Economic Development Strategy, Collaborating for Competitiveness, identifies small business growth as one of the core strategies for advancing job growth in the City.  This Report seeks to strengthen the City's programs directed at the incubation component of small business encouragement: better focussed support for the incubation network and approval in principle to help expand the Toronto Food Business Incubator beyond its pilot stage.

 

The Business Incubation and Commercialization (BIC) program supports small business success through community partners that offer an array of targeted entrepreneurial incubation programs, services, and resources.  These include, among others, private office/ studio space, shared industrial equipment, business advisory/ mentoring services, product development support, market testing, access to capital, and networking opportunities.  The city commissioned a consultant to undertake a review of the BIC Program to improve effectiveness, enhance flexibility, and build capacity for growth.

 

The Toronto Food Business Incubator (TFBI) currently plays a small but key role in the BIC program, providing entrepreneurs with food production space and business advisory support.  TFBI is now at a critical juncture.  Increasing demand for entry into the program, combined with a need by existing client companies to grow and expand operations, has created a challenge for this pilot incubator.  TFBI must move to larger space to enable long term sustainability or close its doors to a growing number of start-up and early stage food entrepreneurs.  A growth and investment strategy is required to facilitate this move and to ensure business incubation programs and services continue to be provided to accelerate the success of new and emerging food businesses in Toronto - one of the largest production centres in North America.

 

Financial Impact

There are no immediate financial impacts associated with this report beyond what has been approved in the 2013 Operating Budget.  The current BIC program is included in the Operating Budget for Economic Development and Culture and entirely supported by annual funding provided by the Toronto Port Lands Company (TPLC) and indexed for inflation, as directed by Council at its meeting of October 29 and 30, 2008.  For 2013, TPLC is providing $1,399,100 for the incubator program.

 

There are no current City resources provided for the start-up of new or expanded business incubator projects.   The operating costs of the existing incubators are supported by their small business participants. 

 

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed this report and agree with the financial impact information.

Background Information

(February 22, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture on Collaborating For Competitiveness: Building Toronto's Incubation Network (Implementation Action 1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56366.pdf
(February 22, 2013) Attachment 1 - Collaborative Innovation Network - List of Organizations
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56367.pdf

Communications

(March 1, 2013) E-mail from Carol Zweig, Director of Sales, Cleaning and Sanitation: Food, Beverage and Healthcare (ED.New.ED20.4.1)
(March 5, 2013) Submission from Frank Bajt, Vice President, Asset Management of Build Toronto (ED.New.ED20.4.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/comm/communicationfile-34948.pdf

ED20.5 - 2013 Allocation for Arts and Culture

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(February 21, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture

Recommendations

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

 

1.         An allocation of $6.0 million, drawn from the actual revenues received from the Third Party Sign Tax in excess of budgeted revenue generated from 2009-2012, be directed to the following priority arts and culture programs in 2013:

 

a.         $4.0 million to Toronto Arts Council grants;

b.         $0.200 million to Toronto Arts Council operations grant;

c.         $0.600 million to Major Cultural Organizations grants;

d.         $0.300 million to Local Arts Service Organizations grants;

e.         $0.200 million to re-establish Culture Build grants; and

f.          $0.700 million to enhance cultural programs administered by the Cultural Services Section of Economic Development and Culture.

 

2.         The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture, and Toronto Arts Council be authorized to initiate the grant application process for the allocation of these additional funds with the understanding that payments to grant recipients will be made in July, 2013 after confirmation of funds availability when the 2012 Audited Financial Statements for the City of Toronto are complete.

Summary

The report Creative Capital Gains was produced by the Creative Capital Advisory Council co-chaired by Robert Foster, Karen Kain and Jim Prentice and received unanimous support from City Council in May 2011.  The report reaffirmed the $25 per capita investment target for Toronto and set out five investment goals relating to affordable cultural space; access to cultural participation; creative clusters and scenes; international image; and international competitiveness.

 

At its meeting held on January 16, 2013, City Council directed $6.0 million to arts and culture programs from the Third Party Sign Tax (TPST) revenues drawn from actual revenues received in excess of budgeted revenue generated from 2009-2012. This report recommends an allocation of these funds to Toronto Arts Council grants; Toronto Arts Council Operations grant; Major Cultural Organizations grants; Local Arts Service Organizations grants; Culture Build grants; and Cultural Services arts and culture programs.

 

As part of the 2013 Operating Budget approval, Council also requested the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to report to the Economic Development Committee in time for the 2014 budget with a four-year phase in plan for Creative Capital Gains to provide additional funding for arts and culture to achieve the $25 per capita investment target.   The phase in report will include targeted results and methods of assessment.  It is anticipated that the allocation of additional City resources to arts and culture will leverage investments from other funding sources, create culture jobs, increase attendance at arts and culture events, and attract additional cultural tourists.  Staff will track results in these areas and report back to the Economic Development Committee.

Financial Impact

The approved 2013 Operating Budget for Cultural Services is $42.642 million gross/$34.967 million net.  After an additional allocation of $6.0 million, the revised 2013 Operating Budget for Cultural Services will be $48.642 million gross/$40.967 million net.  Funding for the additional allocation of $6.0 million will be drawn from the actual revenues from the Third Party Sign Tax in excess of budgeted revenue generated from 2009-2012 and will be available in July 2013 after the 2012 City of Toronto Audited Financial Statements are complete.

 

The additional allocation of $6.0 million will have the following budget impact on the City’s arts and culture programs:

 

Program

2013 Approved

($ millions)

Additional

($ millions)

2013 Revised

($ millions)

Toronto Arts Council Grants

$10.279

$4.000

$14.279

Toronto Arts Council Operations Grant

$1.234

$0.200

$1.434

Major Cultural Organizations Grants

$6.295

$0.600

$6.895

Local Arts Service Organizations Grants

$0.533

$0.300

$0.833

Culture Build Grants

$0.000

$0.200

$0.200

Cultural Services Programs/Net

$15.381

$0.700

$16.081

 

The recommended allocations for $6.0 million in 2013 represent the staff evaluation of the pressing priorities outlined in Creative Capital Gains and the most effective use of additional funding given the short time frame this year.  Any allocation of additional funding in future years will not necessarily follow this pattern of allocation but will depend on consultations with the Creative Capital Advisory Council and cultural stakeholders.  Any additional funding allocations will be targeted to fulfill the goals and objectives of Creative Capital Gains and will be outlined in a report back to the Economic Development Committee in time for the 2014 Budget process.

 

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

Background Information

(February 21, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture on 2013 Allocation for Arts and Culture
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56365.pdf

Communications

(February 28, 2013) Letter from Councillor Cesar Palacio (ED.New.ED20.5.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/comm/communicationfile-34788.pdf
(March 5, 2013) Letter from Graham Henderson, President, Music Canada (ED.New.ED20.5.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/comm/communicationfile-34950.pdf
(March 5, 2013) Submission from Amy Terrill, Music Canada and forwarding article (February 28, 2013) from Chicago Tribune which is on file in the City Clerk's office (ED.New.ED20.5.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/comm/communicationfile-35075.pdf

ED20.6 - Economic Dashboard - Annual Summary, 2013

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(February 21, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture

Recommendations

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

 

1.         The Economic Development Committee receive this report for information.

Summary

This report provides an annual summary of the data reported each month in the Toronto Economic Dashboard, which benchmarks the City's economic performance.

Financial Impact

There are no financial implications resulting from this report.

Background Information

(February 21, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture on Economic Dashboard - Annual Summary, 2013
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56336.pdf
(February 21, 2013) Attachment - Economic Indices Presentation - Annual Summary, 2013
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56354.pdf
(March 5, 2013) Attachment - Economic Overview 2012
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56555.pdf

ED20.7 - Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) - 2013 Operating Budgets - Report No. 3

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
11 - York South-Weston, 17 - Davenport, 30 - Toronto-Danforth, 32 - Beaches-East York, 35 - Scarborough Southwest

Origin

(February 19, 2013) Report from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Oficer

Recommendations

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer recommends that:

 

1.         The Economic Development Committee adopt and certify to City Council the 2013 recommended expenditures and levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas:

 

Business Improvement Area

2013 Expenditure
Estimates
($)

2013 Levy
Funds Required
($)

Corso Italia

505,271

183,395

Crossroads of the Danforth

114,225

100,137

Regal Heights

135,778

72,819

Weston Village

148,800

110,625

 

Summary

This report brings forward Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual operating budgets for approval by City Council as required by the City of Toronto Act, 2006.  City Council approval is required to permit the City to collect funds through the tax levy on behalf of the BIAs.

 

Complete budgets and supporting documentation received by February 13, 2013 have been reviewed and are reported here; BIA Operating Budgets received after this date will be brought forward in later reports. Of the 73 established BIAs, 3 BIA budgets were approved by City Council on November 27-29, 2012 in Report No. 1; 64 BIA budgets are pending City Council approval on February 20-21, 2013 in Report No. 2 and a supplementary report; four BIA budgets are submitted for approval in this report; one BIA has yet to submit an operating budget; and one BIA is inactive.

 

The recommendations reflect 2013 Operating Budgets approved by the respective BIAs’ Boards of Management and have been reviewed by City staff to ensure BIA budgets reflect City Council’s approved policies and practices.

Financial Impact

No City funding is required since financing of Business Improvement Area operating budgets is raised by a special levy on members which totals $466,976 in this report.

 

All of the 2013 BIA operating budgets submitted for consideration are balanced budgets.  The appeal provision surplus or appeal provision deficit for each BIA, as determined by the Revenue Services Division, has been addressed by the BIA and incorporated into their 2013 Operating Budget.  BIAs that have capital cost-share projects submitted for consideration in the 2013 Capital Budget for Economic Development and Culture (including new projects and projects approved in 2012 or prior, and carried forward into 2013) are required to provide necessary capital cost-sharing contributions for these projects in their 2013 budget.

Background Information

(February 19, 2013) Staff Report from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer on Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) - 2013 Operating Budgets - Report No. 3 and Appendices A and B
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56279.pdf

7a - Leslieville Business Improvement Area (BIA) 2013 Operating Budget

Origin
(February 28, 2013) Report from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer
Recommendations

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer recommends that:

 

1.         The Economic Development Committee adopt and certify to City Council the 2013 expenditure request of Leslieville BIA totalling $110,000 and a 2013 BIA levy requirement of the same amount.

Summary

This supplementary report brings forward the Leslieville Business Improvement Area (BIA) 2013 operating budget, to be considered with the four BIA operating budgets in report No. 3, for approval by Council as required by the City of Toronto Act, 2006.  Council approval is required to permit the City to collect funds through the tax levy on behalf of the BIAs. Of the 74 established BIAs, one BIA has yet to submit an operating budget.

 

The Leslieville BIA has requested Council consideration of its 2013 Operating Budget at its meeting of April 3-4, 2013 to make it possible for the newly created BIA to receive its first levy instalment by the end of May.  Unlike established BIAs, the newly created Leslieville BIA has no cash reserve to draw upon while awaiting its first levy instalment.

Financial Impact

No City funding is required since financing of Business Improvement Area operating budgets is raised by a special levy on members which totals $110,000 in this supplementary report.

Background Information
(February 28, 2013) Report from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer on Leslieville Business Improvement Area (BIA) 2013 Operating Budget
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56472.pdf

ED20.8 - Business Improvement Areas (BIA) Boards of Management - Additions and Deletions

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
15 - Eglinton-Lawrence, 16 - Eglinton-Lawrence, 17 - Davenport, 22 - St. Paul's

Origin

(February 8, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture

Recommendations

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that City Council:

 

1.         Approve appointments and removals of members of the Eglinton Way and Oakwood Village Business Improvement Areas (BIA) Boards of Management as set out in Attachment 1 to the report dated February 8, 2013, from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

 

2.         Direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas (BIA), be amended to reflect the number of members and the number of members required for quorum for each Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management as necessary.

 

3.         Confirm that under Council's Public Appointments Policy, Board members are appointed at the pleasure of Council, and Council retains the right to replace any appointed member at any time and for any reason.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to recommend that City Council approve additions and deletions to the Eglinton Way and Oakwood Village Business Improvement Areas (BIA) Boards of Management.

Financial Impact

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Background Information

(February 8, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture on Business Improvement Areas (BIA) Boards of Management - Additions and Deletions and Attachment 1
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56342.pdf

ED20.9 - TTC Charges for Replacement Bus Service during BIA Street Festivals

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(January 28, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture

Recommendations

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

 

1.         The Economic Development Committee receive this report as information.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide information requested by the Economic Development Committee at its meeting on November 8, 2012, regarding TTC special event charges for the Gerrard India Bazaar and Cabbagetown Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).

Financial Impact

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Background Information

(January 28, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture on TTC Charges for Replacement Bus Service during BIA Street Festivals
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56287.pdf
(January 28, 2013) Attachment 1 - October 9/12, letter from TTC Chief Executive Officer, Andy Byford
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56344.pdf
(January 28, 2013) Attachment 2 - BIA Street Festivals - TTC Charge Comparison Table
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56345.pdf

Communications

(March 5, 2013) Letter from Councillor Paula Fletcher (ED.New.ED20.9.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/comm/communicationfile-34889.pdf

ED20.10 - Request for World Pride 2014 Presentation

Consideration Type:
ACTION

Origin

(March 4, 2013) Letter from Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

Summary

In a partnership with Tourism Toronto and the City of Toronto, Pride Toronto in 2009 submitted a successful bid for Toronto to host WorldPride in 2014. This major event will take place from Friday June 20, to Sunday June 29, 2014, and is being held in North America for the first time since its inception. The event is awarded to a host city by InterPride, the International Association of Pride Organizers with member associates from pride organizations from around the world.

 

The 2014 WorldPride will be hosted simultaneously with Toronto’s Pride Week, and the program for this festival will include: an opening ceremony; parade of nations; international human rights conference; a variety of social, networking, celebratory, community and family events, as well as an exhibition celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. It will be a major economic, tourism, and community lead-up to both the Tuesday July 1, 2014 Canada Day celebrations, as well as subsequent the Friday July 4, 2014 U.S. Independence Day celebrations, for our American neighbours visiting Toronto.

 

The WorldPride theme is “Rise Up!” and it celebrates the achievements, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's, of Canada's, and of global LGBT communities. The event will involve up to 2000 volunteers, built on Pride Toronto’s existing base of 1,200, and is already being planned and prepared by over 100 people on volunteer teams and committees. Pride Toronto has been working with potential sponsors and partners to increase the scope of activity during WorldPride, including programming with the City of Toronto’s 10 Major Cultural Institutions. The Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto is producing the 3-day human rights conference by agreement with Pride Toronto.

 

Pride Toronto has also undertaken consultation with Toronto’s BIAs to ensure Toronto and all its neighbourhoods are prepared to host the world in 2014.

 

It is:

 

i.          a culturally diverse expression of the quest for equality and liberty of LGBT people world-wide;

ii.         a rallying of communities on a global level;

iii.        promotion of the universal quest for freedom and human rights; and

iv.        an international celebration incorporating activism, education, history and culture of global LGBT communities.

 

It builds on one of the world’s largest and most successful Pride events: Toronto's own successful and world-renowned Pride festival. WP14TO will feature an expanded program of activities with premier entertainment, opening and closing ceremonies, and a substantive discussion of human rights, as well as a series of events taking place across the City of Toronto over the 10-day period leading up to the well-known Pride Parade, Dyke March and Trans March.

 

It presents an unparalleled opportunity to increase the awareness of Toronto, of Ontario, and of Canada globally and to promote our city and its communities, economy, culture, and citizens as a beacon. It is an unprecedented opportunity to issue an invitation to global LGBT communities to participate in a spectacular celebration and a global dialogue in Toronto in 2014.

 

2014 WorldPride Toronto anticipates support from the local and provincial economic development, investment, tourism, and cultural sectors whose interests in profiling Toronto internationally and attracting visitors to Toronto coincide with Pride Toronto’s for this signature global event.

Background Information

(March 4, 2013) Letter from Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam on Request for World Pride 2014 Presentation
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-56536.pdf
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council